Kingston Common Council urges state to fund its mandates

KINGSTON, N.Y. -- City lawmakers agreed Tuesday night to send a letter to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state legislators, urging them to supply the city with funding for state mandates.

The Common Council voted 7-0 in favor of the resolution, which was sponsored by Alderwoman Maryann Mills, D-Ward 7, a first-term member of the Common Council. Mills and Alderman Robert Senor, D-Ward 8, were absent from Tuesday night's meeting.

The vote was taken without discussion.

Supporters, such as Alderman Thomas Hoffay, D-Ward 2, the council's majority leader, have said Mills' effort was commendable.

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In the past, Mayor Shayne Gallo has publicly talked about the importance of the state providing mandate relief.

"We the undersigned urge you to reconsider mandate relief," the letter says in part. "We understand that the state faces many challenges; however, to continue to approve a budget without mandate relief for cities and villages is of no more significance than safeguarding the future of local taxes and protection of the local taxpayers."